I had a ball!!

Recently my friend, Joy, asked me to take some pics of her family for their Christmas cards. I was flattered. I love photography; I'm definitly a novice but I had lots of fun. Here are some of the pics!

Our 2009 Christmas Tree

Today we took our annual trip to Duncan's Tree Farm. We had fun and got to tag the 2009 McCormick Family Christmas tree. What is so funny about this...is that I always worry about the tree. Is it going to be too little or too short. Well, this year I'm not going to worry. I know that it's going to be a great tree.

It's the Most Wonderful Time.....

I'm so excited!! Why do you ask? Starting this weekend I'm decorating for Christmas!! I have some new things I'm redoing so I'm excited to see how they turn out!! I'll let you know!

Don't tell Daddy!!!

I have a great collection of pictures of Avery on the sidelines at soccer games this year...but these I took as he is wearing his sister's sunglasses are the cutest. As I was taking them, Terry says you can't post them. I assume he meant facebook and not my blog! I can't resist...he just looked so cute.

Big Sister to the Rescue!

Recently I had a mommy moment, what's that? Well, when something happens that makes your heart squeeze and you have to say...wow...this is my life. Last Friday night was one of those for me. Poor Jackson, like his father before him, suffers from nightmares. I mean he wakes up all the time with them and sometimes he even has problems going to sleep. On this particular night, he tells "sissy" that he is scared. Well to the rescue she comes, I go up when I hear them talking only to discover she is in the bed with him. Long story short...this is how they ended up! You gotta love Big Sisters!

My Girl...

I've learned something about Elle-Catherine that I was happily surprised to discover. Last year she asked me to play soccer; well, when the time came to sign up she still wanted to play. We explained that no matter what, if she loved it or hated it she HAD to finish the season. As it turns out she doesn't really like it too much. In fact, she says that she will not play again next year (although, I hope that changes.) BUT...and this is the good part. She hasn't not once complained about not wanting to play or go to practice. Each time she puts on her gear and goes but never has even asked to quit. I proud that she knew that quiting was not an option!! I'm so proud of her. She isn't the best or most aggressive player on the team but she tries. Each game she becomes more sure of herself and I'm proud of those accomplishments because they don't come easy to her.

I thought my gals would like these....

I found these as I was organizing pictures on my computer...I will always remember this trip. And parts of it will be my all time funniest moment. Thanks for including us in your fun!

Decisions and Faith...

I'm up tonight a little bit later than normal because I have a decision that's weighing heavy on my mind. I'm very glad that God is a patient God because I feel like He has had to be with me lately. I feel like I know what I should do, and I'm afraid that the reason for this scared feeling in the pit of my stomach is not because I don't know what to do, but that I'm scared to do it. I've come face to face with the fact that perhaps I'm not as "spiritually mature" as I once thought. Maybe within me is a greater fear of man than I'd like to admit. I had thought I had worked this out within myself but this step that God is calling us to make is trying that belief. Then comes today...something happened that very subtly but effectively caught my attention. I have no doubt that God did this to me and for me on purpose. I am thankful for that, but I'm still scared. Why? I thought I had left behind the girl I used to be, to embrace the woman I've become and it hurts a little bit to realize that parts of the girl still exist.

A funny rash and a chocolate party!!

Elle-Catherine woke up Friday morning with a weird rash that was a result of some crazy virus she had had. In her class, they had been reading "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", since they had finished it their treat was a Chocolate Party. My little girl was sad that she was missing her party. Well, I was having none of that...here is our version of "Charlie's Chocolate Party"!

Being on your own...

Well it's not all it's cracked up to be, that's for sure. Terry is away doing a fishing tournament and we are here at home. In theory, I'm a strong woman I can handle most things, or so I would think. However, I've learned this isn't really the case. I wonder why I let the just daily stresses of life get to me more when I'm alone? I don't know why...well, yesterday was a little bit more than ordinary. Something was up with the battery in my car, and I was left, or so I thought, without any transportation and two kids to pick up and a prospective "alone" trip canceled. I'm sad to say I didn't handle it well, actually, I was pretty bad for the entire day. As God always takes care of us, my Dad and the guy across the street, Stinger (a story all his own!), fixed my car, and I did pick up the kids and even went on my "alone" trip. Still, I was pretty much not in a good place yesterday. I'm glad that Terry has Fisher's of Men, mostly, but sometimes it's a struggle. I guess I could look at it as a ministry that Satan will try to undue!

My Poor, Sweet Baby

This was my post on facebook it explains it all so I'll just add it here:
Avery + Entertainment Center Corner = 1 Deep cut on the forehead,1 trip to Jackson, 1 traumatic failed attempt at stitches, 1 Plastic Surgeon, 1 Operation to repair deep laceration, 1 VERY Stressed Mommy and Daddy.

He now has 6 or so stitches in his forehead...he is doing great now....me well, God saw me through it....Sorry Jenn. but I had to post the pics!!

My Private Art Gallery

One boring Saturday I was surprised by my little artist...Elle-Catherine...she gave me a tour through my own private art gallery full of masterpieces done by her! I love that girl!

Our Mexican Birthday Party

One of Terry's and Nick's employee's graciously invited our families to his daughter's one year birthday party. What they called a party would by most American families be referred to as a celebration. The family was so sweet and hospitable and the food was good...but there is more to that story that I'll tell if you ask but I'm not printing it! We had loads of fun and our children loved the pinata, boy do they know how to do a pinata! It was an interesting experience to be the only white people in a room puts a new perspective on life!

Growing into his personality

I love watching who my children are growing up to be...I love seeing how and why they come to the decisions they will make. We learned something about our little Avery today. We learned that he is stubborn. He got into trouble for not obeying something we told him to do (funny, but I've forgotten what that something was) because he disobeyed he was sent to Mommy's chair for timeout. After some time in the chair Terry told him if he would say "Please, Daddy may I get up" he could get up and join everyone else on the couch. Well, he wouldn't do it. Refused. So he sat there, and sat there. Until, finally, he said it. My how much fun will we all have as he grows up.

Jackson's First Day of Kindergarten

Jackson had a wonderful time; he really enjoyed himself and was such a big boy. When his teacher, Ms. Danna, called his name he lined up and walked out with his hands in his pockets. I'll never forget that sight. This is really no surprise to me; he as always been very independent wanting to do it all himself. However, he loves to give hugs. When I picked him up and we got in the car, this was our conversation:

"Mom, you didn't put my lunch money in my bag. My teacher couldn't find it; you've got to put it in the bag."
Me: "Jackson, I told you I put money into your account at school"
Jack: "Mom, I don't know where my 'count is. My 'count isn't anywhere in my back pack!"

I love my sweet, sweet baby boy! And part of me misses that towhead little toddler he used to be.

Today I began...

Well, I have always been on a roller coaster with my weight and my dieting, but for the past 2 or so years I've sat pretty comfortable on 20 extra pounds. No, more. I refuse. I'm tired of it. so as of today, I'm on my journey to lose my 20 extra pounds...my deadline...Christmas, will it happen? We'll see.

Elle-Catherine's first day of school...

Today I took Elle-Catherine to begin her second grade school year. To be honest I'm not so sure how I feel about it. When I first became a mommy, I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home kind of mom. I wanted to experience everything from the happy, sad, board and stressful. I have been so blessed by God and my husband that for 8 years I have lived and breathed my children. I've loved every minute of it, even the hard ones. So, now I'm just supposed to let someone else have them for seven hours a day. Am I just supposed to let someone else be instrumental in shaping who they become. I don't know. I'm not sure. For now she was so excited and had no apparent separation anxiety which was good for both of us.

School Supplies

Well tonight I had to get every one's school supplies ready. I laid everything out on the kitchen table to take a picture. No, I've never done this before but since I'm blogging in order to "scrapbook" our life I decided to get a picture of the stuff. As I was putting everything on the table I noticed something, well two things, really. One, most of the supplies that we were asked to get consisted of hygiene products, paper products, and hand soap...whatever, happened to crayons? Second, I can't find Elle-Catherine's scissors...maybe she won't notice until I can replace them.

K

My new signature

I'm trying to add a signature to my blog....I thought they looked cool...so far I havent gotten it done yet...we'll see.

He's Ours and It's Her Birthday!!

I love how God gives you little blessings that you never would have thought of or planned yourself. It shows just how much He loves and cares for those who are His children. Today is an example of that. Gateon, our new nephew, who was adopted from Hong Kong officially becomes a member of our family in the eyes of the United States government, in his court hearing. Today is also his big sister, Anna's, 14 birthday! How Sweet is that. We love you Anna and Gateon!!